Improve Elk Grove

Join the Conversation

City officials will be seeking your input on the services and facilities we need as Elk Grove continues to grow. How should we prioritize our public safety services, economic development, infrastructure and transportation systems, parks and facilities, community and senior services, and other community needs? The City continues to evaluate its resources to ensure that we meet these needs. If additional funding is required, let’s explore potential options and solutions together. The City Council has important decisions to make for our future and your input is essential.

We want your feedback! Please ask us questions or tell us what you're thinking.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is this project all about?

The goal of this project, the Elk Grove City Needs and Listening Project, is to evaluate and prioritize our future city services. It is the City’s responsibility to provide public services and facilities that benefit our community – things like public safety services and facilities, well-maintained streets and roads, quality libraries, etc. Maintaining and improving these public assets costs money. Accordingly and as we plan, the City and its representatives will be reaching out to the community to join the conversation.

Why should community members care?

Elk Grove is home to more than 170,000 proud residents. Families choose to move here and stay because of our safe neighborhoods, quality schools, and exceptional city services and amenities. The high quality of life our residents enjoy is worth protecting, especially as our community continues to grow.

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Who is driving this effort?

The City of Elk Grove is coordinating this City Needs and Listening Project. If you would like representatives from City Hall to come speak with your group or community organization, please let us know. We currently have a “City Needs and Priorities” feedback form on this page above. We welcome your input.

What is the goal of this project?

Right now, our #1 goal is to engage and listen to the Elk Grove community regarding evaluating and prioritizing our current and future city services and needs.

How does managing and maintaining a balanced city budget fit into this project, especially as operating costs continue to rise and community demands change over time?

The City of Elk Grove uses resources wisely, consistently maintaining a balanced budget while providing a high level of service to the community. Part of the reason we are enrolling the community in helping us evaluate our services and needs is because community alignment is important as we continue to plan for our city’s future. The fact is: current revenues that the City of Elk Grove receives may be insufficient to meet community expectations for future city services and amenities. Making the investment to understand community preferences and expectations will allow the City to carefully consider whether additional resources are needed to meet them.

What if additional funding is needed to achieve the Community’s desires for the City of Elk Grove services?

If additional funding is required, we want to explore the options together. A city sales tax, for example, could provide a dedicated source of local funding to address city needs. You may have other ideas. No decisions have been made yet about this project and none will be made until well into next year, so there is ample time for community input.

Who makes the final decision on additional funding for our City?

A local election is likely to be required. The locally elected City Council is the legal entity that must take action to call for an election. If we decide to ask the community for additional revenue such as a sales tax, taking such an action would then trigger an election where Elk Grove voters would decide on the funding proposal.

Is the new Wilton Rancheria casino giving us funding?

The City has approved an agreement with Wilton Rancheria to provide funding to mitigate the impact of the casino on our community and offset the impact of casino development, including road maintenance, police, and facilities. The payments are not meant to address other unmet city needs. A link to casino updates and details are posted online.

Is the SB1 Gas Tax supposed to give us funding?

The State controls SB1 funding, which has helped us reduce our funding gap for overall transportation needs, but it can’t and won’t meet all of the City’s needs. Even with this funding, we still have a $2 million annual funding gap for maintaining our roadways at current levels.

Is the Revenue Neutrality Agreement with the County giving us funding?

When the City of Elk Grove was incorporated, we agreed to give a portion of property tax revenue to the County for County services we received. Those payments, set forth in a Revenue Neutrality Agreement with the County, gradually reduce each year, and expire in 2025. Based on projections, returned funds are needed to maintain current core service levels as we become less reliant on the County, including obligations for animal control associated with an animal shelter being constructed in 2018.

The City has approved a number of incentive programs for various businesses. How do those impact the City?

The City has established economic incentive programs to generate additional funding through economic development impacts, by attracting new capital investments, creating jobs, and expanding the tax base within the city. Among those investments is the California Correctional Health Care Services Facility (CCHCS) that brought jobs to Elk Grove. Additionally, once completed, Costco and the Mall will generate funds exceeding the city’s economic incentive investment.

How much additional funding would a measure bring our city?

That question remains unanswered at this time. We are in the early phase of assessment, listening and planning. Right now our #1 priority is to reach out, engage, and listen. At some point, if additional funding is needed, we will have to explore options and determine the answer to the question. A preliminary calculation by city staff has determined that a ½ cent sales tax could generate $9.5M per year, which equates to adding 50 cents to a $100 purchase made in Elk Grove. This would be dependent on the economy and purchases within Elk Grove City limits. A local measure would be locally controlled and stay in Elk Grove to provide essential city services and needs. By law, the State could not take this funding away.

How long would a measure last?

Current state law allows for a measure to have an expiration date or be set in perpetuity without a “sunset.” If a sales tax is considered, we would want to ensure its duration was set appropriately for the city to access any available matching funds and return the best overall benefits to our Elk Grove community.

What is the current sales tax rate for the county and city?

The City of Elk Grove has a tax rate of 7.75%, similar to the cities of Folsom and Citrus Heights, and the County of Sacramento. The cities of Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, and Galt have an 8.25% sales tax.

What is the voter threshold requirement for passage of a local tax measure?

No decisions have been made relative to which method the City of Elk Grove might consider using to build a ballot measure proposal – and there are a number of options. Currently, we are exploring all options with the Elk Grove community. A General Fund sales tax requires a simple majority vote (50%+1) in support to pass. A sales tax for specific allocations or a parcel tax requires a super-majority of 66.67% support in order to pass.

When would a local revenue measure be placed on the ballot?

No decisions have been made as of this time. We are in the early phase of assessment, listening and planning. We are exploring options and listening to the community’s input. The realistic schedule for placing such a measure before voters is the November 2018 ballot. The filing deadline for the November 2018 ballot is August 10, 2018.

If voters approve a measure, when would it actually start?

If voters approve a measure, the typical timeline for it to take effect is about 5-6 months. If Elk Grove voters approve a sales tax measure in November 2018, the proceeds would then be received by the City beginning in June 2019.